Guide to County Cork In Ireland

County Cork

Cork is the most southerly and by far the largest county in Ireland at nearly 7500 square kilometres in area. It is nicknamed the Rebel County after many Corkmen defied national rule in various historic British and Irish civil disputes.

The city of Cork is the capital of the province of Munster and the Republic's second biggest city. It stands upon the River Lee at the point where the river branches into two adjacent wide channels. Recent and ongoing redevelopment of old quayside buildings now gives the city centre a clean and cosmopolitan feel. The city was the European capital of culture in 2005 and many cultural initiatives (such as the magnificent Opera House) still thrive today. The region is served by a newly expanded and modernised airport located just minutes from the city centre by car. This city is home to a major university, UCC, and the Cork School of Music, so it has a lively student population.

The most westerly areas of the county, known logically as West Cork, still retain a tangible remoteness and attract many tourists seeking out rural tranquillity or rugged coastlines. Other famous attractions are the Blarney Stone, and Cobh harbour which was the Titanic's last port of call on its ill-fated voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. The more modern Cork harbour claims to be the world's second largest natural harbour (after Sydney in Australia).

Outside of Cork city lie the attractive main towns of Kinsale, Bandon, Clonakilty, Midleton, Youghal, Ringaskiddy, Carrigaline, Mitchelstown, Fermoy and Mallow. However newcomers to this county could also visit Whitegate, Aghada, Ballycotton, Cloyne, Ballineen/Enniskean, Ballingeary, Ballyclogh, Ballydehob, Ballydesmond, Ballyhooly, Ballymakeery, Baltimore, Banteer, Bantry, Boherboy, Bridebridge, Buttevant, Carrigtwohill, Castlelyons, Castlemartyr, Castletownbere, Castletownroche, Castletownshend, Church Bay, Coachford, Conna, Courtmacsherry, Crookstown, Crosshaven, Doneraile, Drimoleague, Dromina, Drommahane, Dunmanway, Durrus, Farran, Glanworth, Inchigeelagh, Innishannon, Kanturk, Kildorrery, Killavullen, Killeagh, Kilworth, Knocknagree, Leap, Liscarroll, Macroom, Milford, Millstreet, Model Village - Dripsey, Newmarket, Passage West, Rathcormac, Charleville, Ross Carbery, Schull, Shanagarry, Skibbereen, Timoleague, Unionhall or Watergrasshill.